Promoting Gender Equality

Promoting equality in Ireland

As a republican party Fianna Fáil is committed to fighting discrimination and inequality.

We support the introduction of measures to address gender equality and the gender pay gap issues in the workplace.

We also believe that there needs to be greater gender diversity on boards. It is clear from the lack of progression in the areas of gender inequality in the workplace that the only way these gaps can be addressed is through Government intervention.

Fianna Fáil believes that legislation should be enacted that requires employers to publish information relating to employee pay which will allow the gender pay gap to be exposed and addressed. Unfortunately the gap is now widening for younger women.

Fianna Fáil believes that organisations funded by the taxpayer that do not operate gender equality in terms of employment practices and promotion opportunities, should be penalised in financial terms. The public sector should lead by example and this allows the private sector to follow suit.

The percentage of women on the boards of Irish listed companies continues to be very low. Over a third of companies listed on the main markets of Euronext Dublin have no women in the boardroom and only 18% of directors of Irish-registered ISEQ20 companies are women. This has to change.

Whilst the proportion of women on State Boards finally hit the 40% target set in 2014, there is still a significant amount of work to do be done in the private sector.

Fianna Fáil is committed to the need to increase female participation in elected politics. Statistics show that experience in local government has long represented a path to national office in Ireland: only 14% of TDs in the 32nd Dáil have never served as local councillors.

While the gender quota requirements introduced by the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 is very much welcome, Fianna Fáil is committed to bringing forward legislation to ensure that gender quotas are also introduced for local elections.

Fianna Fáil’s plan to promote Gender Equality

Pay Transparency

Require employers to publish information relating to employee pay for the purpose of improving the gender pay gap.

Ensure quality at work

Introduce financial penalties for public sector employers that fail to operate gender equality in terms of employment practices.

Gender equality in local elections

Extend gender quota legislation to encompass local elections.

Seanad reform

Explore, in the context of Seanad reform, options for securing a gender-balanced Seanad.

All issues in Equality and Inclusion

Disability Inclusion

At present, there are too many barriers in the way of people with disabilities.